2-3 x 2m is not what I'd call a very small pond, full sun will be fine! Ideal, in fact. Re depth, I've seen varying advice on this... probably best not to over think it, any pond of any type will be a huge benefit to wildlife
On a 2m pond, 2ft sounds ideal though.
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour".
"I wouldn't advise less than 2' deep. Just to stop it freezing solid in winter and to help keep water conditions stable. Also, you have more depth and therefore planting choices. More room for more critters."
This is completely wrong. Where do you live - Siberia? This myth about shallow ponds 'freezing solid' is just that - a myth. It's unlikely that you'll get much more than 1" of ice on top. Native pond creatures are perfectly well adapted to cope with this.
The idea that more depth gives you more 'planting choices' is also wrong - most good pond plants root grow in shallow water (a few inches) - the more of this area you have, obviously the more plants you can grow in it. For example, my main garden pond is about 55 sq m and 15" deep maximum (mostly a lot less, and since I never top it up in summer the level drops a few inches through evaporation). It freezes over every winter, but never more than an inch or so and the water boatmen etc can still be seen swimming about underneath. Off the top of my head, there are about 20 plant species in the pond, all but one natives.
Regarding Yellow Flag Iris, damselfly/dragonfly will climb up any suitable plants to emerge, including plants away from the water's edge if necessary. It's disadvantage is that it has a very simple underwater structure which provides little shelter for invertebrates etc - with a range of smaller plants you can get a much more complex, diverse habitat. The Iris justs crowds out everything else.
A shallow, gently sloping pond also allows planting straight onto the liner, with plants either growing in a sand layer as I suggested or (later) into accumulated sludge (doesn't need to be very thick). This looks much better than pots in baskets (when did you ever see a wild pond with baskets in?).
Are there any specific marginal plants recommended for wildlife? I'm digging a small pond - 1m x 2m this summer and I'd prefer smaller/squatter plants to soften the edges in the front and sides. Also would a camomile lawn in front of it be ok?
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The bigger the water volume the better.
I wouldn't advise less than 2' deep.
Just to stop it freezing solid in winter and to help keep water conditions stable.
Also, you have more depth and therefore planting choices. More room for more critters.
No less than 2ft in the middle, frogs hibernate deep down in the middle, any less could be too cold.
Mine is in full sun all day, water is clear, odd bit of blanket weed twiddled out, but now the plants have started to grow, that has gone.
Here are a couple of pics, just taken now, I am well pleased with it, concidering we only finished digging end of summer last year.
Still a lot of work to do, planting up the edges and so on, but the life in there is absolutely fantastic, amazing!
You can probably tell how enthusiastic I am about this project.
Do get a water lily, things love to hide under the leaves and aim to cover two thirds of the surface with plants.
On a 2m pond, 2ft sounds ideal though.
Thank you Edd! Very nice of you to say that.
I do get very passionate over my new projects as you can see.
That pond is 2 x 3 mts approx. I was governed by the digger, he refused to dig anymore!!
"I wouldn't advise less than 2' deep.
Just to stop it freezing solid in winter and to help keep water conditions stable.
Also, you have more depth and therefore planting choices. More room for more critters."
This is completely wrong. Where do you live - Siberia? This myth about shallow ponds 'freezing solid' is just that - a myth. It's unlikely that you'll get much more than 1" of ice on top. Native pond creatures are perfectly well adapted to cope with this.
The idea that more depth gives you more 'planting choices' is also wrong - most good pond plants root grow in shallow water (a few inches) - the more of this area you have, obviously the more plants you can grow in it. For example, my main garden pond is about 55 sq m and 15" deep maximum (mostly a lot less, and since I never top it up in summer the level drops a few inches through evaporation). It freezes over every winter, but never more than an inch or so and the water boatmen etc can still be seen swimming about underneath. Off the top of my head, there are about 20 plant species in the pond, all but one natives.
Regarding Yellow Flag Iris, damselfly/dragonfly will climb up any suitable plants to emerge, including plants away from the water's edge if necessary. It's disadvantage is that it has a very simple underwater structure which provides little shelter for invertebrates etc - with a range of smaller plants you can get a much more complex, diverse habitat. The Iris justs crowds out everything else.
A shallow, gently sloping pond also allows planting straight onto the liner, with plants either growing in a sand layer as I suggested or (later) into accumulated sludge (doesn't need to be very thick). This looks much better than pots in baskets (when did you ever see a wild pond with baskets in?).
Good advice - http://www.freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/habitats/pond/create-pond/make-garden-pond/
https://jeremybiggs.wordpress.com/2009/03/02/how-deep-should-your-pond-be/
Are there any specific marginal plants recommended for wildlife? I'm digging a small pond - 1m x 2m this summer and I'd prefer smaller/squatter plants to soften the edges in the front and sides. Also would a camomile lawn in front of it be ok?
Veronica beccabunga is great for edges.
As is water forget me not - myosotis.
Baldellia ranunculoides - good for edges.
Caltha palustris
Eleocharis - water grass
Native pond plants will all help wildlife. Puddleplants or Maidenhead aquatics will help
Why limit yourself to shallower water?
As for freezing solid.
I've seen it in 50cm depth.
Basically in aquariums and ponds.
Unless you have children or pets that could fall in to the water, bigger is better.
For water quality, stability and habitat diversity.
Do not tell me I'm wrong about something I've literally seen and had to deal with.
So, in a deeper body of water you can employ more plants which fill different niches.
A miniature water lily in 50 cm of water vs less depth , with not enough volume to house a miniature nymphaea.